US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo while addressing the Third Qatari-American Strategic Dialogue in Washington today said that it is past time to find a solution to the Gulf rift. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also addressed the dialogue.

While commending Qatar’s tireless effort in organizing the Afghanistan peace talks in Doha Pompeo also said that “Qatar plays an invaluable role in helping stabilize Gaza as well as regional efforts in deescalate tensions both in Syria and Lebanon.” 

“Its past time to find a solution to the Gulf rift. Trump administration is eager to see this dispute resolved and to reopen Qatar’s air and land borders currently blocked by other Gulf states. I look forward to progress in this issue,” US Secretary of State said.

The Deputy Prime Minister thanked the US for supporting the Kuwaiti mediation to resolve the blockade on the basis of respect for the sovereignty and independence of the State of Qatar. 

“Qatar Foreign policy continues to represent peace, stability and prosperity elements that reflects our national values. Due to these values, Qatar not only stand firm in the face of the blockade but indeed stronger having developed its relations with the global community to unprecedented levels,” he added.

It’s time to find a solution to the Gulf dispute, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in Washington on Monday, days after reports said a three-year blockade of Qatar by some of its neighbours might end “within weeks”.

Pompeo was addressing the opening session of a high-level meeting between the foreign and commerce officials in the US and Qatar.

Addressing the opening session of the US-Qatari Strategic Dialogue, the US Secretary of State commended the Qatari role in bringing Taliban and the Afghan government to a table to negotiate peace.

“Qatar is playing an important role in reducing tension in Syria and Lebanon (as well),” he added.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross are set to meet leading officials from Qatar, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister of Finance HE Ali Shareef Al Emadi.

The event will also see the signing of a memorandum of understanding to feature US cultural themes in Qatar’s 2021 Year of Culture, which will enhance cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries. 

Addressing the event, Qatar’s Deputy PM said, “We look forward to expanding our strategic and investment relationship with Washington in 2021. The strategic dialogue between our two countries confirms aspects of cooperation and friendship between us.

“The United States is not only a partner to Qatar, it is also an ally and friend, and our economic relationship is stronger than ever.”

The success in bringing the Taliban and the Afghan government to the negotiatiting table reflected the extent of the mutual cooperation between the US and Qatar, he added.

“We thank Washington's efforts in supporting the Kuwaiti initiative aimed at lifting the blockade on Qatar. Qatar stands firmly against the blockade after it developed its relationship with the international community,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

Emadi, the finance minister said, “Our activities with the United States in the fields of defence and other areas have evolved further since 2018.”

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin thanked Qatar’s efforts in global contribution to confront the coronavirus pandemic and its contribution to international efforts to develop a vaccine for the virus.”